COVID-19 Walls raised near Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border to restrict inter-state travel

By:

DM Seshagiri, Tirupati and Sidharth.M.P Chennai

Brick walls that were erected by the Vellore district administration (Tamil Nadu) on the highways that led to Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, to restrict vehicle movement and thereby reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread have been removed following a controversy.

The wall was razed by an earthmover after the Chittoor Collector and Vellore collector had discussed the issue. Renuka, the revenue divisional officer from Chittoor district has also visited the site.

"I called the Vellore district collector regarding the construction of the wall at the border, he said that they have stopped the cross-border transport as per government order. He also added that transportation has not been completely blocked and that in case of emergencies they are allowing via an alternative route“, Chittoor District Collector, Dr. Narayan Bharat Gupta said.

The district administration in Vellore is said to have built the walls, as per the instructions from the Tamil Nadu government. The walls that were raised Synagunda and Ponnai near the border were made of hollow bricks and were meant to keep in check the entry of migrant workers who enter without valid permission.

While the main highways do have checkpoints to monitor the entry and exit of people, there are lesser known routes that are frequented by locals, which could be used to cross the borders.

According to officials, out of the six check posts only ones at Ponnai and Synagunda had been blocked, whereas the routes via Paththalapalli, Paradarami, Christian pet and Serkadu were left open. While the vehicles that usually ply the blocked routes had been diverted in order to regulate and norrow-down the traffic movement.

Since the start of the nationwide lockdown on March 25, cross-border travel has been suspended, unless it is for exceptional, emergency cases, as permitted by the state governments.

The border roads that were earlier blocked were considered important routes for those living in the region. It offered a lifeline for many who sought treatment at the famous Christian Medical College in Vellore. Likewise, there was a sentimental value attached to the roads as the people from Tamil Nadu used to take these roads to the travel across the border to the hill shrine in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.